A dog bed is a useful way of providing comfort to your canine companion without having to sacrifice your furniture. There are many household items you can use to make a suitable dog bed for your pet. However, you can also find affordable materials at a thrift store or secondhand store. With the right supplies and a little effort, your dog will soon have a bed of its own.

Steps

Method1

Making a Cardboard Box Bed

1

Collect a suitable cardboard box. The most important characteristic you want in a box used as a dog bed is sturdiness. You'll also need the box to be large enough to accommodate the size of your dog. If your dog has a tendency to sprawl or move around in its sleep, you may want to choose a box that's on the larger side.[1]

If you don't have any suitable boxes at home but still want to make a box bed, you can purchase a box relatively cheaply from a shipping store, the post office, or in some cases an office supply store.

2

Reinforce your box. Stress and strain will be put on your box by the simple act of your dog getting into and out of its bed. Over time, this can cause your box to break down or become less structurally sound. To prevent this, apply a durable tape along the edges and sides of the box to reinforce it.[2]

Duct tape works very well for the purposes of reinforcing your dog bed as it is very durable. However, you can also use packing tape or other kinds of tape, though these may not hold up as well to wear and tear.

You might also want to tape the flaps at the bottom of your box where the box folds together. This can help strengthen the shape of the box and hold its shape.

3

Cut an opening for your dog. Take a pair of scissors or a utility knife and cut a downward pointing U-shaped opening in the box for your dog. For some boxes or dogs, this may only involve you cutting off the top flaps of the box. In other cases, you may have to trim down the sides of the box to make it easier for your dog to enter and exit.[3]

You might also want to cut a semi-circular "main entrance" for your dog bed. Take your utility knife and cut a semi-circle in the front of your box. This lowered lip of the box will be easier for your dog to enter, making it the default entrance for your pet.[4]

4

Pad your box for comfort. Although this is not necessary, padding can provide comfort and warmth to your pet. For example, if you're making a bed for an outdoor dog, wood chips can help fight insect infestations while insulating the animal from the cold.[5] Indoor pets may have a special blanket or pillow that they often use that can be put in the box bed for additional comfort.[6]

You might also use some leftover padding, rags, old clothing, and more to make your box bed more comfortable for your dog.

Method2

Create a Dog Bed from Fabric

1

Choose your base. It's important to have a base to your fabric dog bed, otherwise it won't have clear boundaries and your pet might not understand the fabric bed is its place. Also, a regular base will provide a more comfortable resting place for your pet. Much like sleeping on a lumpy mattress can be uncomfortable for you, so too will it be for your pet.[7]

You might choose an old, over-sized cushion for the base of your dog bed. To prolong the life of the cushion, you may want to wrap it in a blanket, towel, curtain, and so on.

Pillows can also work well, especially for smaller dogs. Much like cushions, you can extend the life of your pet pillow/fabric bed by covering it in a blanket, towel, curtain, and so on.

Sewing together the fabric you are using for your dog bed can also help it maintain shape. You could also sew the cloth inside a larger piece of fabric, like a sheet.[8]

2

Create a makeshift base with a pillowcase, alternatively. If you don't have any cushions or pillows to make the base of your fabric pet bed, you can always stuff a pillowcase with rags, old towels, and unwanted articles of clothing.

You might consider making a pet "beanbag" bed. Place a large quantity of unwanted cloth items (towels, rags, shirts, etc.) in the center of an old, unwanted sheet. Tie the edges of the sheet together so it forms a beanbag.[9]

To prevent your fabric stuffing from falling out, you may want to stitch closed the opening of your pillowcase or sheet.

3

Add fabric as you see fit. You may want to add several layers of cloth to create an especially soft place for your pet to rest, but in many cases, your base may be enough for your pet. You may want to watch your dog as it gets used to the bed. If you notice the animal seems uncomfortable, you may need to add some more fabric to the bed.[10]

4

Arrange the fabric of the bed regularly. The fabric of your bed can easily get wrinkled or uncomfortably wadded up over the course of a night. Remember, many dogs have dreams of running, which causes their paws to twitch. This can sometimes cause the fabric of the dog bed to bunch up uncomfortably for your pet.

You don't need to check your pet bed every day, especially if you've tucked the bed up tightly with a sheet/covering when making it. However, to keep the bed at the max comfort level for you dog, you may want to check it once a week, straightening and smoothing the fabric when necessary.

Method3

Using a Basket or Suitcase as a Bed

1

Purchase a basket or suitcase for your dog. Baskets are generally smaller in size, and while this might suit smaller dogs, it's unlikely a medium to large sized dog will be able to fit in a basket. In this case, you might consider using an old, unwanted suitcase instead.

Baskets and suitcases both can be found for relatively little cost at garage sales, thrift stores, and secondhand stores.[11]

Remember to account for the sleeping style of your pet. If you notice that your dog moves a lot in its sleep, you may want to buy your basket/suitcase a size larger than necessary. This way, your pet has room to move around.

2

Modify the basket or suitcase if necessary. Since most suitcases hinge at the middle and open into two hollow sections, you may want to use a utility knife, shears, or other tools to remove one side of the suitcase to create a single hollow spot for your dog bed. Baskets often have handles, and you may want to remove these to make it easier for your pet to get in and out of the bed.[12]

Sometimes, cutting free previously connected parts of your basket/suitcase can leave sharp edges behind. To prevent your pet from getting poked or cut, you may want to file these down.

3

Line your basket or suitcase for comfort. You can use old throw pillows, unwanted bed pillows, leftover padding, blankets, and so on to add to the comfort of this kind of dog bed. Layer your padding, whatever it may be, evenly and completely along the bottom of the suitcase.[13]

Padding materials, like throw pillows, can generally be found and bought for cheap at thrift stores and secondhand stores.

4

Add a cover to prolong the life of your padding. Over time, the wear and tear of your dog sleeping in this bed will cause your padding material to break down. You can prolong the life of this padding by covering it in an unwanted sheet or towel and tucking the edges of the covering into the sides of the suitcase or basket.

This covering also provides a uniform outside for the bedding. This means that even when your pet jumps in or out of the bed, or even if it has dreams and runs in its sleep, it's less likely to push the padding around and cause it to bunch up.

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Video

Tips

If your dog doesn't like the bed, you'll have to find out why with trial and error. It might not like the space you chose, the box/lining, the smell, or many other things. Remove these variables one by one to isolate the issue your pet has with his bed.

Warnings

In some cases, your dog may try to chew the box or lining. Be sure the materials you use are not treated with chemicals that could be harmful to your dog.